Apple Trees Blooming

   Apple trees are now blooming, and many bees are pollinating the apple blossoms when temperatures go above 50 F.  The apples that result from these pollinated flowers will grow for the next 5 to 7 months, then be ready to harvest from Sept. to Nov.

The 'Enterprise' apple tree at left is blooming in our orchard, while ornamental crabapple trees, with pink blossoms, bloom along our driveway.

   A late frost of 24 F on April 16 killed some apple pistils, the flower part that produces the fruit, but many apple flower buds had not opened yet, so were protected.  Unfortunately, pear trees were in full bloom, so most of the pear crop was lost to the April 16 frost.  Some pear flowers up high on the trees survived, so we should have a partial pear crop in Sept. to Oct.  Sadly, it looks like the 2018 peach crop was wiped out.
   We still have many apples and pecans, harvested last Nov. and kept in prime condition in our coolers, for sale now.  Just phone 620-597-2450 a day in advance, and leave a message on the answering machine saying your name and the day and approximate time you'll come get them, so I can look for you.  When I'm pruning raspberry plants or apple trees at the back of the planting, I can't always see or hear vehicles come in if people haven't called a day ahead so I can expect them.

Fruit from these 'Enterprise' apple trees, now blooming in our orchard, will ripen from Sept. to Nov. We still have many apples and pecans, harvested last Nov., for sale now.

   Our #1 apples, with no damage, sell just as fast as I sort them.  Small amounts of harvested apples cost $1.30 per pound + tax.  A 20-lb. box of #1 apples costs $25.00 + tax ($1.25 per pound + tax), which saves $1.00 off the per-pound price.  I sort apples into two plastic bags per box, so you can get a mixed box of one bag each of 'Enterprise' and 'GoldRush' apples, and still get the 20-lb. discount.
   We have many 2nds apples, with small cracks, cork spots, hail damage, or other surface damage.  These are great for baking, slicing for salads, or for making applesauce or apple butter.  Usually 95% to 99% of each fruit is still usable, but they're 70% or less the cost, at $0.93 per pound + tax for less than 20 pounds and $0.88 per pound + tax for 20 pounds.  We've reduced the price on 40 lb. or more of 2nds apples.  When you buy two or more boxes, each 20-lb. box of 2nds apples costs just $16.67 + tax ($0.83 per pound + tax), so that's $33.34 + tax  for 40 lbs. of 2nds apples.
   We're still selling our last and largest pecan variety, 'Pawnee'.  We sell our papershell pecans in 4-pound bags that contain at least 75% pecan kernels, so you get the equivalent of at least 6 pounds of in-shell pecans in each bag.  These pecans are very fast and easy to pick out, and when you pick out the pecans, you get over 3 pounds of nutmeats.  The price on pecans is $16.67 per 4-pound bag + tax.  Pecans keep well in your freezer for up to 3 years.
   Asparagus harvest should finally start next week, about April 24, after the ground warms up.  Frosts killed the first spears up, so we have to wait for new spears to grow.  Asparagus is sold harvested, still for $2.78 per pound + tax, and is limited, so you need to phone 620-597-2450 a day ahead and order it.